Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-10-08
DESTROYED BY FIRE.
The Oldest House in Great Falls
Goes up in Flames-Exciting
Scenes Energetic Fire

asleep and the town seemed wrapped in
slumber The trebell confirmed the
alarm by its tones which were distinct
enough for the practiced ear of the fire
laddies. The great blaze which proceed
ed from Mrs. Lewis's boarding house on
Second avenue determined the location
of the fire and hither hundreds rushed
without much regard to attire. They
found the building wrapped in fame
which Illuminated nearly the whole town
and might be seen miles away. There
was In awful splendor about the burning
mass as the flames spread through the
house, destroying first the interior and
leaving the gables for its ravages later on.
PULL FOR LIFE.
All is excitement. The watchman, who
was probably the first outsider to see the
flames, beats at the windows to arouse the
sleepers. Mrs. Lewis snatches wrapper
and hastens into the street. James
Wharton finds himself in a mass of smoke
with his way to the hall cut off by flame.
He pulls on his trousers, breaks the glass
in the window and with one desperate eff
fort he wrenches the sash from its frame
and moment more is in the street. Not
moment to soon for his bleeding hand
is also burned and in few seconds the
fire has played havoc with his room. His
clothes his watch and chain are all gone,
but he bears his loss like IA stole and aids
the brave firemen who are trying to pre-
vent the spread of the flames. Jasper
Hall also energes from the pyramid If
fire He has also had narrow escape.
So it was with the other dodgers, about six
in number Each had to fly with what
clothes he could collect hastily, leaving in
most cases, the trunk containing things in
which he had invested the savings from
years of toll. But there WAS no murmuf-
ing. The losers were us ready as anyone
to fight the flames.
ss' FIRE LADDIEs TO THE RESCUE.
While people are fleeing from the burn
ing mass, Chief Frame and his fire laddles
are Fastening to the scene. Frame takes
in the situation at a glance and aims to
prevent the flames from spreading rather
than to subdue those which could not be
suhdued He posts the boys where they
will be of most service and all go to work
with will, aided by volunteers, who are
ready to do anything. Fences stable
seems most in danger. That long wooden
building is about % feet from the burning
mass and is filed with horses. The pump
within its walls is worked to the full
capacity and yields abundant water.
Bueketfuls are carried out and dashed
against the sides of the stabla. While
some of the firemen and their aids thus
keep the wall secure Harry Ringwald
and others have mounted to the.roof and
sitting a straddle on the top, they pour
Gown water on the shingles which soon
become we'll saturated. Meanwhile
Charles Wegner, who displays much cool
ness and executive skill has ordered the
water carts to fill up and they with Ma
nery's came on the scene at the right
time. The stable is soon dripping wet;
the air seems almost motionIess; the
s'devouring element" has devoured nearly
all it could, and people feel that all
danger is past.
THE RESIDENCE PROTECTED.
Mr.. Pence's residence on the east side
of the burning building seemed also to be
in danger although it was farther away
than the livery stable. Damp cloths were
placed on the roof and the side wall was
saturated with water. The paint also pro-
teeted the woodwork. The furniture was
removed, but fortunately all these pre-
cautions were needless, for the motionless
air seemed to say to the fire, ''thus far
shalt thou GO and no farther"
1t is said that the fire started in Jasper
Halls room. A lodger in the next room
says that Hall came home rather late.
Before the fire broke out he was awaken
ed by the glare in Halls room. Fifteen
minutes later the partition was all in flame
and soon the whole house was wrapped in
the fiery mantle The burned house has
brief history. 1t was the first dwelling
built here but sundry additions changed
it nearly as much as the Highlander's gun,
which had new lock, stock and barrel.
IT was occupied first by Mr. Wamer. now
of Sand Couiee. and was the s'frst-class''
hotel of early days in Great Falls. The
lot is owned by Mr.. Dickefman and Mr.
Chowen. Mrs Lewis rented the house
from them and kept boarders and dodgers
She is worthy, industrious woman, who
suffers heavily by the fire which has de-
stroyed her furniture and even burned up
about $50 in money which slie made a
vain effort to save. uch sympathy is ex-
pressed for her by the neighbors.
AN EXEMPLARY GIFT.
Chief Frame sends the following to the
TRIBUNE for publication:
The Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company
desire to acknowledge the receipt of the
sum OF $50 from Messrs. A. e. Diekerman |
& Co, and to thank those gentleman for
their generous donation, which will gofar
toward completing our facilities 70 sue
cessfully combat with fires that may here
after take place. Such substantial ex-
s,sessions Of thanks from our citizens will |
encourage the boys to turn out and pre-
vent the destruction Of our city by the |
frey element IF more of our enterpris-
ing citizens would follow the example of |
Messrs. Dickerman 81 Co. we would soon /
be fully equipped and that would be a
guarantee against destruction by fire.
GENERAL NOTES.
Mr.. Pence worked bravely and showed